Are patriots suckers?

There are various definitions of “patriot”, but is it a fair description to say a patriot loves their country and is prepared to defend it against all threats? Stay with me, as I am coming back to patriotism.

On episode #2404 of the Joe Rogan Experience, Elon Musk said that the only way to clear the US debt is for huge advancements in AI and robotics to generate huge new revenue streams. He called the wasted interest payments a threat to the economic future of the USA, as without it being addressed, the nation going bankrupt is inevitable?

The US paid more than $1 trillion in interest in 2024 servicing the debt. Interest payments in 2025 are projected to be $1.1 trillion. Based on 2024, that’s about the same as the entire defense budget and agriculture budgets combined.

Ensuring Americans are secure and fed are clearly huge priorities for any government, so doesn’t it seem crazy to be wasting so much money every year on interest.

Especially when, by mid-2025, less than a third of the wealth of the wealthiest 10% of Americans would have cleared the entire debt. No more wasted interest payments.

Elon Musk, along with Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump, are all billionaires, so obviously in the wealthiest 10% of Americans. Also the Clintons, George W Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden are all in the wealthiest 10%.

Oh, and with a collective net worth of almost $12 billion, I think we can assume that most, if not all, of the current US cabinet are in the wealthiest 10% too.

So if these great leaders are also great American patriots, why aren’t they stepping up and using their immense personal wealth to remove this grave threat to the USA’s economic future?

Instead of cutting essential services and taxing the poorest 50% of Americans, who share just 2.5% of US wealth between them.

Or is it simply that the wealthy are too smart to be patriots? After all, patriots put their country first and, if necessary, even die for their country. Death would make it very difficult for them to enjoy their huge wealth, wouldn’t it?

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Click to copy post textThere are various definitions of "patriot", but is it a fair description to say a patriot loves their country and is prepared to defend it against all threats? Stay with me, as I am coming back to patriotism. On episode #2404 of the Joe Rogan Experience, Elon Musk said that the only way to clear the US debt is for huge advancements in AI and robotics to generate huge new revenue streams. He called the wasted interest payments a threat to the economic future of the USA, as without it being addressed, the nation going bankrupt is inevitable? The US paid more than $1 trillion in interest in 2024 servicing the debt. Interest payments in 2025 are projected to be $1.1 trillion. Based on 2024, that's about the same as the entire defense budget and agriculture budgets combined. Ensuring Americans are secure and fed are clearly huge priorities for any government, so doesn't it seem crazy to be wasting so much money every year on interest. Especially when, by mid-2025, less than a third of the wealth of the wealthiest 10% of Americans would have cleared the entire debt. No more wasted interest payments. Elon Musk, along with Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump, are all billionaires, so obviously in the wealthiest 10% of Americans. Also the Clintons, George W Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden are all in the wealthiest 10%. Oh, and with a collective net worth of almost $12 billion, I think we can assume that most, if not all, of the current US cabinet are in the wealthiest 10% too. So if these great leaders are also great American patriots, why aren't they stepping up and using their immense personal wealth to remove this grave threat to the USA's economic future? Instead of cutting essential services and taxing the poorest 50% of Americans, who share just 2.5% of US wealth between them. Or is it simply that the wealthy are too smart to be patriots? After all, patriots put their country first and, if necessary, even die for their country. Death would make it very difficult for them to enjoy their huge wealth, wouldn't it?

Thank you